NEW RELEASES - IVAN LINS, URSULA RICKS, ERIC REED

IVAN LINS – AMORAGIO

Quintessential Brazilian songwriter, vocalist and keyboardist Ivan Lins returns with his first solo studio album released in the U.S. in almost twenty years. JazzTimes Magazine writes that &ldquo:Amoragio is steeped in Brazilian rhythms that recycles the romanticism that punctuates much of the composer's songbook." Sure to be an instant classic, the album brings together several special guest vocalists in Maria Gad£ ("Quem Me Dera"), Ant“nio Zambujo ("Fado Saramago"), ATEN€AO ("X No Calendario"), Fioravante e Guimaraes ("Atras Poeira"), and Tatiana Parra ("Amoragio"). ` amazon.com

URSULA RICKS – MY STREET

Severn Records is proud to release My Street, the debut recording of longtime Baltimore based soul-blues artist Ursula Ricks. Produced by David Earl and Steve Gomes with horns by Chicago legend Willie Henderson, My Street showcases Ursula's astounding vocals and fresh approach to song writing. She's backed by the label's studio house band, with special guests Kim Wilson (harmonica) and Johnny Moeller (rhythm guitar) of The Fabulous Thunderbirds, plus Sugar Ray & the Bluestones' guitarist 'Monster' Mike Welch featured. In addition to 8 originals penned by Ricks, My Street highlights the Bobby Rush classic Mary Jane, and Curtis Mayfield's Just a Little Bit Of Love all delivered by the big-voiced singer who's star is clearly on the rise. ~ amazon.com

ERIC REED – REFLECTIONS OF A GRATEFUL HEART

Reflectons Of  A Grateful Heart is the latest CD release from Eric Reed, one of the most innovative pianists in modern jazz. This CD features Reed in a rare solo piano setting, performing jazz and gospel selections and celebrating the music that has been this critically-renown artist's greatest influences. The CD includes the gospel standards I Love The Lord by Richard Smallwood, Changed by Walter Hawkins, and solo piano renditions of Reed's own compositions Prayer, and New Morning. Reed, whose first performances were in his father's storefront Baptist church, was bitten by the jazz bug after hearing recordings by Art Blakey, Ramsey Lewis and Dave Brubeck. Reflections Of A Grateful Heart is the continuation of Reed artistically blending his jazz and gospel influences in a unique fashion. ~ amazon.com